Ohio ACTE continually introduces projects and programs aimed at benefiting, recognizing, and supporting career-technical educators at all levels of education. The list below showcases the current initiatives and scholarships.
To submit a nomination, kindly complete a separate online form for each nominee and each award. Keep in mind that new scholarships and opportunities may emerge periodically, so remember to check back for updates.
To submit a nomination, kindly complete a separate online form for each nominee and each award. Keep in mind that new scholarships and opportunities may emerge periodically, so remember to check back for updates.
Darrell Parks Student Scholarship & Workforce Award
2024 Applications are closed.
Apply Here (https://forms.gle/X9mJjaNADg9ExGrX6)
Each year, Ohio ACTE awards up to two Darrell Parks Student Scholarship and Workforce Awards, providing $1,000 each to support the educational or career pursuits of graduating career-technical students. In keeping with the wishes of Dr. Darrell Parks and his family, an Ohio ACTE member committee will select the recipients for the 2024 scholarships.
Eligible applicants include any senior currently enrolled in a career-technical program who will graduate in 2024 and plans to further their education or start a career. The application deadline is April 12, 2024. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your senior students and direct them to the application link.
Dr. Darrell Parks, former Executive Director of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE) and Career-Technical Education Director at the Ohio Department of Education, was a trailblazer in advancing vocational education and workforce development across Ohio. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Parks championed initiatives to connect education with industry needs, ensuring students gained practical, relevant training for successful careers. His visionary leadership and steadfast advocacy helped expand career and technical education opportunities statewide, empowering countless students to achieve fulfilling careers. Dr. Parks’ legacy of innovation and commitment continues to inspire and shape Ohio’s educational landscape, encouraging future generations to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Apply Here (https://forms.gle/X9mJjaNADg9ExGrX6)
Each year, Ohio ACTE awards up to two Darrell Parks Student Scholarship and Workforce Awards, providing $1,000 each to support the educational or career pursuits of graduating career-technical students. In keeping with the wishes of Dr. Darrell Parks and his family, an Ohio ACTE member committee will select the recipients for the 2024 scholarships.
Eligible applicants include any senior currently enrolled in a career-technical program who will graduate in 2024 and plans to further their education or start a career. The application deadline is April 12, 2024. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your senior students and direct them to the application link.
Dr. Darrell Parks, former Executive Director of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE) and Career-Technical Education Director at the Ohio Department of Education, was a trailblazer in advancing vocational education and workforce development across Ohio. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Parks championed initiatives to connect education with industry needs, ensuring students gained practical, relevant training for successful careers. His visionary leadership and steadfast advocacy helped expand career and technical education opportunities statewide, empowering countless students to achieve fulfilling careers. Dr. Parks’ legacy of innovation and commitment continues to inspire and shape Ohio’s educational landscape, encouraging future generations to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Career-Tech Excellence Awards: Recognizing Ohio ACTE Educators
2024 Applications are closed.
Apply Here (https://forms.gle/VtU371hcmbFEvMZV7)
Nominate and outstanding career-technical educator, adult educator, School Board Member or Business Partner for statewide recognition as an Ohio ACTE Award winner. Please note that nominees should be a current Ohio ACTE member.
Administrator of the Year
This award recognizes administrative CTE professionals at the school, district, county, or state level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs.
Teacher of the Year
This award recognizes the finest career and technical teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year
This award recognizes the finest career and technical professionals at the postsecondary level who have instructed and educated students involved in career and technical education pathways, demonstrated innovation in the classroom, and exhibited dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Counseling and Career Development Professional of the Year
This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for CTE as a viable option for all students.
Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher
This award recognizes new CTE teachers who have made significant contributions toward innovative and unique career and technical education programs and shown a professional commitment early in their careers.
Outstanding Educator in Community Service
This award recognizes educators with significant accomplishments and outstanding leadership in programs and activities that promote community involvement. Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions toward training, motivating, and inspiring their peers and students to become involved in programs and projects that benefit their communities.
Business Image Award (non-educators eligible)
The Image Award recognizes individuals who have brought positive attention to the career-technical and adult education fields, thereby enhancing the image of career-technical and adult education and career and technical educators.
Ambassador Award
This award is to recognize CTE staff who significantly contribute to their schools through their service in a non-educator role and who have made the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and/or progress of Career and Technical Education. This includes (but is not limited to) technology; communications (Public Relations); and support staff.
Outstanding School Board Member (non-educators eligible)
This award is to recognize a duly elected or appointed board member who has made the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and governance of career-technical and adult education in Ohio.
Teacher Educator of the Year (NEW 2024)
This award recognizes teacher educators, secondary or postsecondary, who are committed to preparing teachers to deliver high quality CTE programs, demonstrated innovation in teacher education, and leadership in improving CTE.
Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award (NEW 2024)
This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of Ohio ACTE, their innovations in CTE and their contributions to the field over an extended period of time.
Apply Here (https://forms.gle/VtU371hcmbFEvMZV7)
Nominate and outstanding career-technical educator, adult educator, School Board Member or Business Partner for statewide recognition as an Ohio ACTE Award winner. Please note that nominees should be a current Ohio ACTE member.
Administrator of the Year
This award recognizes administrative CTE professionals at the school, district, county, or state level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs.
Teacher of the Year
This award recognizes the finest career and technical teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year
This award recognizes the finest career and technical professionals at the postsecondary level who have instructed and educated students involved in career and technical education pathways, demonstrated innovation in the classroom, and exhibited dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Counseling and Career Development Professional of the Year
This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for CTE as a viable option for all students.
Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher
This award recognizes new CTE teachers who have made significant contributions toward innovative and unique career and technical education programs and shown a professional commitment early in their careers.
Outstanding Educator in Community Service
This award recognizes educators with significant accomplishments and outstanding leadership in programs and activities that promote community involvement. Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions toward training, motivating, and inspiring their peers and students to become involved in programs and projects that benefit their communities.
Business Image Award (non-educators eligible)
The Image Award recognizes individuals who have brought positive attention to the career-technical and adult education fields, thereby enhancing the image of career-technical and adult education and career and technical educators.
Ambassador Award
This award is to recognize CTE staff who significantly contribute to their schools through their service in a non-educator role and who have made the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and/or progress of Career and Technical Education. This includes (but is not limited to) technology; communications (Public Relations); and support staff.
Outstanding School Board Member (non-educators eligible)
This award is to recognize a duly elected or appointed board member who has made the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and governance of career-technical and adult education in Ohio.
Teacher Educator of the Year (NEW 2024)
This award recognizes teacher educators, secondary or postsecondary, who are committed to preparing teachers to deliver high quality CTE programs, demonstrated innovation in teacher education, and leadership in improving CTE.
Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award (NEW 2024)
This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of Ohio ACTE, their innovations in CTE and their contributions to the field over an extended period of time.
Christine Gardner Memorial Grant
2023- 2024 Applications are Closed.
The Christine Gardner Memorial Grant is designed to support innovative teaching methods that enhance career-technical education outcomes and aims to award one-time grants to qualified federal tax-exempt entities dedicated to improving career-technical education outcomes.
Christine Gardner, former Executive Director of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE), was a dedicated leader in enhancing and promoting career-technical education across Ohio. Throughout her impactful tenure, Gardner worked tirelessly to elevate the value of CTE and forge vital connections between educators, industry leaders, and policymakers. Her innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to advancing career pathways empowered students with the skills and opportunities necessary for success in a rapidly changing workforce. Gardner’s legacy of collaboration, advocacy, and transformative leadership continues to influence Ohio’s CTE community, inspiring educators, students, and partners to build meaningful and sustainable career opportunities for generations to come.
Eligibility:
How to Apply:
Grant Details:
We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to secure funding for your projects that will positively impact career-technical education in Ohio.
Application Submission:
To submit your application, please visit Christine Gardner Memorial Grant Application
If your district requires an Administrator signature for grant applications, please use this template Signature Page; this will be uploaded as the last item of the electronic application.
The Christine Gardner Memorial Grant is designed to support innovative teaching methods that enhance career-technical education outcomes and aims to award one-time grants to qualified federal tax-exempt entities dedicated to improving career-technical education outcomes.
Christine Gardner, former Executive Director of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE), was a dedicated leader in enhancing and promoting career-technical education across Ohio. Throughout her impactful tenure, Gardner worked tirelessly to elevate the value of CTE and forge vital connections between educators, industry leaders, and policymakers. Her innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to advancing career pathways empowered students with the skills and opportunities necessary for success in a rapidly changing workforce. Gardner’s legacy of collaboration, advocacy, and transformative leadership continues to influence Ohio’s CTE community, inspiring educators, students, and partners to build meaningful and sustainable career opportunities for generations to come.
Eligibility:
- To be eligible, applicants must be current members of Ohio ACTE; your member identification number will be needed for the application. You can find your member identification number by logging into your account at www.ohioacte.org.
- Awardees must be available to share an outcomes presentation (live, virtual or prerecorded) at the 2025 Ohio ACTE Annual Summer Conference, July 21 - 23, 2025.
How to Apply:
- Review the required information here: Grant Application Overview
- Prepare your application materials, including a project proposal and budget.
- If applicable or required by your district, complete the Administrator Signature Page Signature Page. You will upload as the last application item.
- Submit your application via this Google Form Christine Gardner Memorial Grant Application by February 8, 2024.
Grant Details:
- Grant Amount: up to $2,500
- Grants to be awarded: 2
- Purpose: Improving career-technical education outcomes through innovative teaching methods.
We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to secure funding for your projects that will positively impact career-technical education in Ohio.
Application Submission:
To submit your application, please visit Christine Gardner Memorial Grant Application
If your district requires an Administrator signature for grant applications, please use this template Signature Page; this will be uploaded as the last item of the electronic application.
Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Institute
2024-2025 Cohort Applications are closed.
Apply Here (https://forms.gle/sy4kFNr3gmKfn9CB6)
Click Here to Learn More, including the 2024-2025 Schedule
The Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Institute is named for career technical education pioneer Dr. Shoemaker, who was a lifelong advocate for CTE and led the ODE Office of CTE from 1962 to 1982. Upon his passing on March 1, 2012, at the age of 93, the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education developed the Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Institute to honor his memory and help foster leadership in career-technical educators.
The Institute welcomes individuals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their understanding of career-technical and adult education in Ohio. Our program offers participants the chance to elevate their leadership qualities, cultivate essential characteristics, broaden their professional network within the CTE community, and gain a comprehensive perspective on career-technical and adult education in Ohio.
This initiative embodies a significant opportunity for ongoing professional growth. Upon completing the program, participants will be better equipped to thrive as leaders in career-technical education, empowering their organizations to play a proactive role in shaping the future of CTE.
The program is designed to be both inspirational and transformational. Individuals will grow both personally and professionally and develop ways to positively influence students, colleagues, their communities, and CTE stakeholders.
Apply Here (https://forms.gle/sy4kFNr3gmKfn9CB6)
Click Here to Learn More, including the 2024-2025 Schedule
The Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Institute is named for career technical education pioneer Dr. Shoemaker, who was a lifelong advocate for CTE and led the ODE Office of CTE from 1962 to 1982. Upon his passing on March 1, 2012, at the age of 93, the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education developed the Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Institute to honor his memory and help foster leadership in career-technical educators.
The Institute welcomes individuals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their understanding of career-technical and adult education in Ohio. Our program offers participants the chance to elevate their leadership qualities, cultivate essential characteristics, broaden their professional network within the CTE community, and gain a comprehensive perspective on career-technical and adult education in Ohio.
This initiative embodies a significant opportunity for ongoing professional growth. Upon completing the program, participants will be better equipped to thrive as leaders in career-technical education, empowering their organizations to play a proactive role in shaping the future of CTE.
The program is designed to be both inspirational and transformational. Individuals will grow both personally and professionally and develop ways to positively influence students, colleagues, their communities, and CTE stakeholders.
US Presidential Scholars
Click Here for Application & Instructions
Deadline: November 15, 2024
Ohio ACTE, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is proud to announce the nomination process for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education. This prestigious program recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, technical competence, leadership, service, and creativity. Five outstanding Ohio CTE students will be nominated to compete nationally for this esteemed honor, with winners receiving the Presidential Scholars Medallion in Washington, D.C. Schools are encouraged to submit their nominations by November 15, 2024.
Deadline: November 15, 2024
Ohio ACTE, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is proud to announce the nomination process for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education. This prestigious program recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, technical competence, leadership, service, and creativity. Five outstanding Ohio CTE students will be nominated to compete nationally for this esteemed honor, with winners receiving the Presidential Scholars Medallion in Washington, D.C. Schools are encouraged to submit their nominations by November 15, 2024.
